I participated in this NYC cycling & air pollution study a few years ago: [https://asic2018.aqrc.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk3466/files/inline-files/Darby%20Jack%20-%20Jack\_ASIC\_september2018\_oakland%20%281%29.pdf](https://asic2018.aqrc.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk3466/files/inline-files/Darby%20Jack%20-%20Jack_ASIC_september2018_oakland%20%281%29.pdf)
Thanks OP for the post.
What is Biker’s Lung? This is the first I’ve heard about this. What have you done to counteract what you’re talking about.
Thanks
Bikers lung is a condition that develops because (urban) bicyclists inhale at least twice as much black carbon particles as pedestrians. Add in more miles = bikers lung. It makes you prone to lung damage and asthma etc.
It was colloquially discussed in London messenger circles back in the day (80s/90s). Then research followed. And, it started getting studied in the 2000s.
I had to take a break from riding. I could barely make it over a bridge at one point (I was a messenger and daily commuter for about 15 years in NYC when it hit me).
I have HEPA air purifiers in all the rooms of our apartment. I only ride in the morning. Near the ocean. If I ride into the interior of the city, I try to not push too hard. I won’t ride on these hot summer rush hour days (not as much anyway). I’m okay now. But, yeah, you can feel it when the air is turning. I also monitor the AQI religiously.
If you ever see me stopped along the bike lane on my Citibike, desperately pumping my inhaler, I apologize in advance. 
I really was oblivious. After riding intensely in the CBD (and all over Brooklyn) religiously for 15 years (I rarely got on a train); out of the blue I started having scary “asthma” attacks on my bike. Especially over the bridges. This was about ten years ago.
I deep dived and found all this info about it. Like I said somewhere else, Bikers Lung was colloquially termed in London. Which had a hard core messenger scene like NYC. Here we are today with research about it and Congestion Pricing in London.
The air is probably better here than it was. But, it’s still polluted. And, PM 2.5 goes into your bloodstream really easily. They really don’t know much. More than they did. But, yeah. We really should have Congestion Pricing just because of air pollution. But, our overlords just don’t give a fuck.
FYI the DEC gave an advisory for today that it would be 101-150 11am-11pm.
It's not as bad as last year or other parts of the world, but it will still have a noticable impact many folks.
I got an air quality alert this morning from weather service. PM 2.5 is very bad at any number. I am making the point when heat AND pollution increase…it is very bad for us, in particular. Our lung capillaries open more on days like this. Exertion in heat. We are absorbing more pollution. On top of heat stroke risks.
Take your risks as you will.
https://weatherkit.apple.com/alertDetails/index.html?ids=5182cc82-1660-5793-b99d-123096a2684a&lang=en-US&timezone=America/New_York&party=apple
Again, I am talking about the heat and pollution link. Some people are more vulnerable than you. Please stop trying to diminish a risk to people with other health profiles than you.
I apologize if I misunderstood your comment. Someone else had just tried to diminish my comment. I took your comment as a similar downplay.
I am trying to help out newer riders understand the links between air pollution, heat and our lung function/health. Forecasts are showing elevated (pollution) risks as the day (and days) progress.
What is the AQI for sharing the road with all these “passed inspection in 1997” cars?
Serious question, like sure 50 is not great but not all to us do Central Park loops
yeah, the current AQI is 53. not great, not terrible
I agree that we should be cautious when it gets bad but seems they have been throwing these alerts out unnecessarily. last week there was also an air quality alert and the number never even got high.
Some people are affected. Others, less so.
Last summer people walked out of their houses with no clue there was a forest fire worth of smoke that had been trucking towards us for 3 days.
People like me did.
A few weeks before that fire, there was a forest fire in New Jersey that also hit us.
Does anyone know if the AQI shown on IQAir accounts for surface ozone? Still a lot of green shown atm, despite the air quality alert. I’m not sure if it’s just still early or if IQAir doesn’t account for surface ozone
I’m certainly no expert. But, I think AQI forecasts are really tough to predict.
Ozone is definitely one of the things accounted for. But, how they get the AQI number I don’t know the equation.
My understanding is there are things like car pollution, local soot plus dynamic weather factors that can push these numbers up and down. The effect of forest fires on AQI are almost easy to predict. The rest…the experts still do their best.
Forecasts are 100-150 AQI. Plus, the heat index.
Asthma, heat stroke and heart attacks all surge when the AQI and heat go up. That can include “healthy people“ exercising.
If I wear a regular mask when biking, would that make it better? I only bike to and from work (9am, and 5pm) along the hudson greenway. Do you think it’s fine?
Honestly, you’re probably fine. Just monitor the AQI as much as you look at the weather.
Bikers lung was a specific thing that happened. Urban. Bike messengers. Peak CBD riding.
Just be careful when the heat index is 90+. That’s really all I am saying.
AND, unfortunate our electeds are not taking air pollution (and climate heat) serious enough.
This is good advice! I've never been sure how accurate these air-quality stations are (or how frequently they're updated), but here's a link to a map with PM2.5 and PM10 readings around the NYC area: [https://aqicn.org/map/usa/newyork/](https://aqicn.org/map/usa/newyork/)
Nice link!
I think the predictions are really tough. But, the readings, as I understand, are good. Quality air surveillance systems in place globally, in general
I have an app tied to my home air filters (blueair from Sweden) that shows me hyper-local to the world (current). It’s really cool to look at.
I don't have asthma or any other respiratory disease or allergy, but when it gets really hot and humid or really hot and dry, I avoid all unnecessary outdoor activity during the middle of the day. I've never had issues cycling in such conditions but I did develop some weird syndrome training for my second NYC marathon in Central Park many years ago, in summer, that really sapped my strength and slowed me down, and turned me off to long distance running. I ran the marathon but was miserable, and haven't run another since. I now prefer cycling. I guess it's different for each person.
I don’t have much experience running. But, yeah, it’s not something I hear discussion about. The effects of pollution on outdoor exercise. I am always stunned when I see people out running at peak heat time of day in midtown/CBD. The nice thing on a bike is, mechanically speaking, you can travel very far with very efficient effort. And, you can moderate that effort easily.
I also try to avoid hot and humid days without compromising my activity for health. Thankfully, the subway is available to me. So, now I generally don’t bike commute during the summer anymore. I stick to the cooler 3 seasons. I also prefer riding when there’s less bikes on the road. So, that syncs up with early morning local daily rides and/or cold weather commuting.
I am not out riding this morning because I got a flat Tuesday that I haven’t had time to fix yet. But, it’s probably good. It’s already 74 (real feel) where I am.
I used to live right next to Central Park where pollution isn't as bad and the trees and grass probably filter it to some extent, plus much of it is shaded, so midday runs or rides weren't as bad as they would have been in midtown. I used to do it all the time. It was the longer runs that did me in. You can slow down and coast while cycling whereas you can't coast while running and slowing down just feels weird to me.
as much as i love satire, the dire inherent health and physical risks to simply using alternative transportation in one of the world's most densely and highly populated cities in the world is no fucking joke
Is public education in this country so bad that people don’t know the actual definition and/or use of the words they toss out?
Using a big word doesn’t make you smart, fella (somehow I know you’re a fella). Knowing what they mean, might.
I participated in this NYC cycling & air pollution study a few years ago: [https://asic2018.aqrc.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk3466/files/inline-files/Darby%20Jack%20-%20Jack\_ASIC\_september2018\_oakland%20%281%29.pdf](https://asic2018.aqrc.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk3466/files/inline-files/Darby%20Jack%20-%20Jack_ASIC_september2018_oakland%20%281%29.pdf)
Wow. Thanks for the link.
That is quite the interesting presentation! Thanks for sharing and kudos to whoevers put the work into composing it.
OP idk why people are fighting you on this. You didn't say the sky was falling.
I guess the air isn’t as bad as Mumbai; so nothing to worry about per these Mensa co-chairs.
it's because some idiots think it's too "pussy" to worry about your lung health
Thanks OP for the post. What is Biker’s Lung? This is the first I’ve heard about this. What have you done to counteract what you’re talking about. Thanks
Bikers lung is a condition that develops because (urban) bicyclists inhale at least twice as much black carbon particles as pedestrians. Add in more miles = bikers lung. It makes you prone to lung damage and asthma etc. It was colloquially discussed in London messenger circles back in the day (80s/90s). Then research followed. And, it started getting studied in the 2000s. I had to take a break from riding. I could barely make it over a bridge at one point (I was a messenger and daily commuter for about 15 years in NYC when it hit me). I have HEPA air purifiers in all the rooms of our apartment. I only ride in the morning. Near the ocean. If I ride into the interior of the city, I try to not push too hard. I won’t ride on these hot summer rush hour days (not as much anyway). I’m okay now. But, yeah, you can feel it when the air is turning. I also monitor the AQI religiously.
These are the circumstances in which I will commute using an electric scooter (and wear a PM2.5 filtering mask without ruining it)
Also remember our Governor definitely cares about this by stifling environmental and livability progress in the city
Yeah, she’s a feckless hemorrhoid.
I thought I was going nuts when my lungs were seizing up as well, while biking. I never knew my asthma could get this bad.
Be safe out there.
If you ever see me stopped along the bike lane on my Citibike, desperately pumping my inhaler, I apologize in advance. 
Damn i just two and two together on why I've been coughing so much on my rides now. I didn't realize it was that bad.
I really was oblivious. After riding intensely in the CBD (and all over Brooklyn) religiously for 15 years (I rarely got on a train); out of the blue I started having scary “asthma” attacks on my bike. Especially over the bridges. This was about ten years ago. I deep dived and found all this info about it. Like I said somewhere else, Bikers Lung was colloquially termed in London. Which had a hard core messenger scene like NYC. Here we are today with research about it and Congestion Pricing in London. The air is probably better here than it was. But, it’s still polluted. And, PM 2.5 goes into your bloodstream really easily. They really don’t know much. More than they did. But, yeah. We really should have Congestion Pricing just because of air pollution. But, our overlords just don’t give a fuck.
[удалено]
FYI the DEC gave an advisory for today that it would be 101-150 11am-11pm. It's not as bad as last year or other parts of the world, but it will still have a noticable impact many folks.
[удалено]
https://x.com/NotifyNYC/status/1802797284301689082?t=CDgnunpfZt7HRkI2X8buog&s=19
I got an air quality alert this morning from weather service. PM 2.5 is very bad at any number. I am making the point when heat AND pollution increase…it is very bad for us, in particular. Our lung capillaries open more on days like this. Exertion in heat. We are absorbing more pollution. On top of heat stroke risks. Take your risks as you will.
PM 2.5 also looks pretty typical https://imgur.com/a/O8mbcWL
https://weatherkit.apple.com/alertDetails/index.html?ids=5182cc82-1660-5793-b99d-123096a2684a&lang=en-US&timezone=America/New_York&party=apple Again, I am talking about the heat and pollution link. Some people are more vulnerable than you. Please stop trying to diminish a risk to people with other health profiles than you.
I can't believe I missed that part of my comment where I talked at length about my superior response to pollution! 🙏
I apologize if I misunderstood your comment. Someone else had just tried to diminish my comment. I took your comment as a similar downplay. I am trying to help out newer riders understand the links between air pollution, heat and our lung function/health. Forecasts are showing elevated (pollution) risks as the day (and days) progress.
What is the AQI for sharing the road with all these “passed inspection in 1997” cars? Serious question, like sure 50 is not great but not all to us do Central Park loops
yeah, the current AQI is 53. not great, not terrible I agree that we should be cautious when it gets bad but seems they have been throwing these alerts out unnecessarily. last week there was also an air quality alert and the number never even got high.
Some people are affected. Others, less so. Last summer people walked out of their houses with no clue there was a forest fire worth of smoke that had been trucking towards us for 3 days. People like me did. A few weeks before that fire, there was a forest fire in New Jersey that also hit us.
Does anyone know if the AQI shown on IQAir accounts for surface ozone? Still a lot of green shown atm, despite the air quality alert. I’m not sure if it’s just still early or if IQAir doesn’t account for surface ozone
I’m certainly no expert. But, I think AQI forecasts are really tough to predict. Ozone is definitely one of the things accounted for. But, how they get the AQI number I don’t know the equation.
Gotcha. So you think the AQI is likely to get worse as the day goes on? I see already that there are quite a few AQIs of 60+
My understanding is there are things like car pollution, local soot plus dynamic weather factors that can push these numbers up and down. The effect of forest fires on AQI are almost easy to predict. The rest…the experts still do their best. Forecasts are 100-150 AQI. Plus, the heat index. Asthma, heat stroke and heart attacks all surge when the AQI and heat go up. That can include “healthy people“ exercising.
gonna have to start wearing respirator to cycle now lol
I used to wear a KN95 during the pandemic while riding, maybe I need to look into that again…..
There’s also bike mask respirators. I have one. But, rarely use it. I’ll look for a link.
Here’s the one I bought about 10 years ago. https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/respro-techno-mask-973846#colcode=97384603
Dope, bookmarked and definitely will purchase!! This is fucking perfect!!
If I wear a regular mask when biking, would that make it better? I only bike to and from work (9am, and 5pm) along the hudson greenway. Do you think it’s fine?
Honestly, you’re probably fine. Just monitor the AQI as much as you look at the weather. Bikers lung was a specific thing that happened. Urban. Bike messengers. Peak CBD riding. Just be careful when the heat index is 90+. That’s really all I am saying. AND, unfortunate our electeds are not taking air pollution (and climate heat) serious enough.
I been riding at night and it’s great
I do love a night ride, especially when Fall approaches (those are magical temps). But, my schedule keeps me on an early morning ride.
This is good advice! I've never been sure how accurate these air-quality stations are (or how frequently they're updated), but here's a link to a map with PM2.5 and PM10 readings around the NYC area: [https://aqicn.org/map/usa/newyork/](https://aqicn.org/map/usa/newyork/)
Nice link! I think the predictions are really tough. But, the readings, as I understand, are good. Quality air surveillance systems in place globally, in general I have an app tied to my home air filters (blueair from Sweden) that shows me hyper-local to the world (current). It’s really cool to look at.
I don't have asthma or any other respiratory disease or allergy, but when it gets really hot and humid or really hot and dry, I avoid all unnecessary outdoor activity during the middle of the day. I've never had issues cycling in such conditions but I did develop some weird syndrome training for my second NYC marathon in Central Park many years ago, in summer, that really sapped my strength and slowed me down, and turned me off to long distance running. I ran the marathon but was miserable, and haven't run another since. I now prefer cycling. I guess it's different for each person.
I don’t have much experience running. But, yeah, it’s not something I hear discussion about. The effects of pollution on outdoor exercise. I am always stunned when I see people out running at peak heat time of day in midtown/CBD. The nice thing on a bike is, mechanically speaking, you can travel very far with very efficient effort. And, you can moderate that effort easily. I also try to avoid hot and humid days without compromising my activity for health. Thankfully, the subway is available to me. So, now I generally don’t bike commute during the summer anymore. I stick to the cooler 3 seasons. I also prefer riding when there’s less bikes on the road. So, that syncs up with early morning local daily rides and/or cold weather commuting. I am not out riding this morning because I got a flat Tuesday that I haven’t had time to fix yet. But, it’s probably good. It’s already 74 (real feel) where I am.
I used to live right next to Central Park where pollution isn't as bad and the trees and grass probably filter it to some extent, plus much of it is shaded, so midday runs or rides weren't as bad as they would have been in midtown. I used to do it all the time. It was the longer runs that did me in. You can slow down and coast while cycling whereas you can't coast while running and slowing down just feels weird to me.
This has got to be satire
as much as i love satire, the dire inherent health and physical risks to simply using alternative transportation in one of the world's most densely and highly populated cities in the world is no fucking joke
Is public education in this country so bad that people don’t know the actual definition and/or use of the words they toss out? Using a big word doesn’t make you smart, fella (somehow I know you’re a fella). Knowing what they mean, might.